Implement construction



March 23, 1948. R. B. HITCHCOCK ET AL Re. 22,993:

IMPLEMENT CONSTRUCTION Original Filed June 10, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 23, 1948. R, HITCHCOCK ET AL Re. 22,991

IMPLEMENT CONSTRUCTION Original Filed June 10, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 away March 23, 1948. B. HITCHCOCK ET AL Re. 22,991

IMPLEMENT CONSTRUCTION 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed June '10, 1943 wig 6 w I March 23, 1948. R. B. HITCHCOCK ET AL R. 22,

IMPLEMENT CONSTRUCTION Original Filed June 10, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 1948- R. B. HITCHCOCK El AL. Re. 22,

IMPLEMENT CONSTRUCTION Original Filed June 10, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 1948- R. B. HITCHCOCK ET AL Re. 22,991

IMPLEMENT CONSTRUCTI ON Original Filed June 10, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 cavc 3%,

m MW w v wm M March 23, 1948.

R. B. HITCHCOCK ET Al.

IMPLEMENT CONSTRUCTION Original Filed June 10, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Reissued Mar. 23, 1948 Rex B. Hitchcock, Brussels, Belgium, and William C. Rosenthal, Chicago, 111., assignors to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Original No. 2,376,539, dated May 22, 1945, Serial No. 490,267, June 10, 1943. Application for reissue August 21, 1946, Serial No. 691,894

41 Claims.

This invention relates to an implement mounting and Kit. More specifically it relates to means for lifting an implement such as a harvester thresher into a mounted position upon a tractor.

In the case of large tractor-mounted implements, such as harvester threshers or corn pickers, considerable diflicuity is experienced in connecting and disconnecting the implement to and from a tractor. The harvester thresher or corn picker is large and unwieldy. It is heavy and so may sink into the ground when allowed to remain for some time detached from a tractor. Likewise, the tractor may be lowered as the weight of the implement is assumed by the tractor when the implement is being mounted. Thus, any lifting means that is to raise an implement from a detached, self-supporting position to a raised, mounted position must have suilicient flexibility to allow for relative changes in position between the implement and the tractor.

An object of the present invention is to provide improvements in tractor-mounted implements.

A further object is the provision of an improvement in the mounting of a tractor-mounted harvester thresher.

Another object is to provide improvements in the mounting of an implement adapted for operation with the tractor running backwards.

Still another object is to provide an improvement in the mounting of a harvester thresher upon a tractor, the harvester thresher operating with the tractor running backwards.

A still further object is to provide means for raising an implement from an inoperative position in which it rests upon the ground to an operating position in which it is raised and mounted upon a tractor.

Another object is the provision of means for accomplishing the same thing for a harvester thresher.

A further object is to provide means for utilizing tractor power to raise an implement from an inoperative, detached position to a raised, mounted position.

A still further object is the provision of means for lifting an implement to mounted position upon a tractor, in which position the tractor is to operate with the tractor running forwardly.

Another object is to provide means for mounting an implement in position alongside the tractor body and within the wheel line.

A further object is to provide'means for mounting a harvester thresher in position upon a tractor, the harvester thresher extending along the tractor body immediately adjacent thereto and across the tractor rear axle.

Other objects will appear from the disclosure.

According to the present invention, an implement, such as a harvester thresher, is lifted from an inoperative position in which it rests upon the ground to an operative position in which it is raised and mounted upon a tractor by power-operated lifting members moving angularly about the tractor rear axle and by a power-operated lifting member mounted at the front of the tractor body. In its mounted position, the harvester thresher extends alongside the tractor body and immediately adjacent thereto across the rear axle. The rear end of the thresher body is at the front of the tractor, and the harvester platform extends rearwardly of the tractor rear axle. In one form of the invention both ends of the implement are lifted simultaneously to mounted position upon the tractor, In the other form of the invention one end of the implement is raised to mounted position, and then the other end of the implement is adjusted upwardly to various positions above ground-engaging position.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view, with parts removed, of a harvester thresher and a tractor upon which the harvester thresher is mounted;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the harvester thresher and tractor of Figure 1;

Figure 31s a side view of the harvester thresher in detached position and the tractor immediately adjacent the harvester thresher;

Figure 4 is a side view of the tractor and the harvester thresher moved from the detached position of Figure 3 to mounted position;

Figure 5 is an end view of a portion of the tractor. a portion of the harvester thresher, and the mounting means carrying the harvester thresher upon the tractor;

Figure 6 is a similar view of the same portion of the tractor and the mounting means in unfolded position;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line I of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line I of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9 of Figure 5 .with a certain holding means in.

disengaged position;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line ll of Figure 5, showing the holding means in engaged position;

Figure 11 is a detail view, showing the mounting of the rear end of the harvester thresher upon the front end of a tractor;

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along the line I2 of Figure 11 but with the harvester thresher detached from the tractor;

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken on the line I3 of Figure 11 and showing the harvester thresher in mounted position;

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on the line ll of Figure 5, with certain parts omitted;

Figure 15 is a side view of a tractor with a modified type of mounting structure and a corn binder detached from the tractor;

Figure 16 is a similar side view showing one end of the corn binder raised to mounted position on the tractor; and

Figure 17 is a plan view of the implement illustrated in Figures 15 and 16 showing the framework of the corn binder.

Figures 1 and 2 show as a wheeled supporting frame, a tractor III comprising a narrow body II, a narrow front rolling support I2, a short right end rear axle I3, a wheel II connected to the axle near the body II, a long rear axle l at the left side of the tractor body II, and a rear wheel I3 connected to the axle I5 and held spaced from the tractor body II. Positioned at the left-hand side of the tractor body II is a harvester thresher I1 comprising a'thresher body I3 and a harvester part I9. Figures 1 and 4 show the harvester thresher in a raised and operative position carried by the tractor at one side of the body and in the implement attaching space between the body and the widely spaced wheel I3.

Figure 3 shows the harvester thresher resting on the ground in an inoperative position. The rear end of the thresher body I3 is adjacent the front of the tractor body II, and the harvester part I9 is pivotally connected to the front of the thresher body I3 generally above the left tractor axle I5 and extends well to the rear of the axle I5. The tractor III has an operator's seat 20, a steering wheel 2I positioned forwardly of the seat 29, and control members 22 and 23 within reach of an operator upon the seat 23. When the harvester thresher is employed for gathering and threshing crops, the tractor I3 is run rearwardly.

Figures 3 to 10, inclusive, show a. mounting means for the front end of the thresher body I3 upon the left-hand tractor axle I5. As seen in these figures, there is provided mounting structure including a torque sleeve 24 formed in halves 25 and 26. The torque sleeve 24 is resistant to twisting for a'purpose to be described later. The half 25 is formed of a semicircular sheet 21 and a semicircular casting or forging 23 secured thereto by riveting or welding. Similarly, the half 23 is formed of a semicircular sheet 29 and a casting or forging 33 secured by riveting or welding to the part 29. The halves 25 and 23 are clamped together and surround the left-hand axle I5. At the outer end of the axle I5 there is positioned a roller bearing 3| engaging a live or rotating portion of the axle I5. The roller hearing 3| supports the outer end of the sleeve 24. The inner end of the sleeve 241s formed of flanges 32 and 33 upon the castings or forgings 23 and 33. These flanges project inwardly and engage an inner dead or stationary housing portion of the axle I5, which in reality houses the rotating live axle. This portion of the axle also has a pair of short longitudinal flanges 34 which cooperate with the flanges 32 and 33 to prevent outward movement of the sleeve 24. The sleeve 24 is formed in the aforementioned halves 25 and 23 so that attachment to and detachment from with the castings or forgings 23 and 33 and a connecting pin 43. -The halves 25 and 25 are clamped to one another at one end by outward projections II and 42 secured to the parts 23 and 33 and a clamping bolt and nut-l3 and 44. At the other end the halves are connected by integral projections 45 and 46 on the castings or forgings 23 and 33 and a clamping bolt and nut 41 and 33. A lifting element 49 projecting from the part 29 and forming a portion of the lifting structure generally in the form of a hook is secured to the semicircular part 29 by bolts 5i threaded into nuts 52 secured to the inside of the semicircular part 29. The forging or casting 33 carries as an integral part thereof a pair of lifting elements or members 53 and 54 formed generally as hooks. As seenin Figure 5, the under side of the thresher body I3 has secured thereto a lift support in the form of brackets 55 and 53. The bracket 55 carries a rotatable roller 51 constructed to be engaged by and positioned in the lifting member 49 during a lifting or lowering operation. Similarly, the bracket 56 carries a rotatable roller 53 positioned within the lifting member 53.

Figures 11, 12, and 13 show the mounting of the rear end of the thresher body I3 upon the front end of the tractor body II. As seen in these figures there is provided a member 59 having a central portion 33 secured in any desired manner to the tractor body II. The member 53 extends upwardly and outwardly in curved relation with the portion 53 and terminates in a portion 3i spaced from the portion 53 and extending downwardly. The portion 5| has a slot 32 open at one end in which is mounted a member 53 secured to a part 34. The part 64 is secured to a bracket 35 adiustabiy secured to the thresher body I3 by means of bolts 56 within elongated slots 51 in the bracket 55 and a threaded bolt 63 secured to and extending through a flange 59 formed on the bracket 35. The threaded bolt 68 extends through a horizontal part I3 of a bracket II secured to the thresher body I3, and its vertical position with respect to the part II and the thresher body I3 is determined by the position of lock'nuts I2 threaded on the bolt 33. By adjustment of these nuts, the position of the bolt 33 is adjusted, and this in turn adjusts the bracket 65, the part 34, and the member 33. Thus, the vertical position of the rear end of the thresher body 18 with respect to the front end of the tractor body II is determined. The member 33, secured to the thresher body I3, is retained in the slot 32 by a lifting member I4 pivotally connected by a means H positioned on a depending portion 15 on the member 59 below and oifset from the securing portion 63 of the member 59. Figure 13 shows a lifting member 14 in a position in which it retains the member 63 within the slot 32. In this position a part I6 secured to the lifting member 14 is locked to a bolt I'I secured to the member 59 by a nut is threaded upon the bolt TI.

The tractor body II carries a two-armed member I9 that is moved angularly by tractor power. One arm of the member 19 is connected by a link 33 with a bell-crank 3| pivoted at 32 on the tractor body beneath the tractor axles. A link 83 connects the harvester part I9 with the bellcrank 3I. Angular movement of the member 19,

through application of tractor power, acts through the links 88 and 88 and the bell-crank 8| to raise or lower the harvester part 18. When the harvester thresher I1 is to be dismounted from the tractor in, the link 8|! is disconnected from the power actuated member 18 and the bellcrank 8|, and the link 88. from the bell-crank 8| and the harvester part I8. Then the harvester part I8 is raised to the position shown in Figure 3 so as to be free of the axle l5 and is held in this position by a rod 84 connecting the harvesting part l8 with the top of the threshing/body [8. Then, a link 85 is connected to one arm of the member 18 and to a flange 86 integral with the casting or forging 28 forming part of the sleeve 24. The other arm of the member 18 is connected by a link 81' with the lifting member 14. Then adjustable supporting feet 88 and 88*, which may be carried as a permanent part of the thresher body l8 or may be attached to it only when the harvester thresher I1 is to be dismounted from the tractor III. are brought into the position shown in Figure 4. Then, through application of tractor power to the member 18, the mounting sleeve 24 and the lifting member 14 are rotated from their position of Figure 4: to that of Figure 3. Rotation of the sleeve 24 will eifect a corresponding rotation of the lifting members 48 and 53 attached to the sleeve 24. Thus, the harvester thresher I1 is lowered until its weight rests upon the feet 88 and 88 now contacting the ground. It has been stated that tractor power is applied to the member 18 to accomplish the dismounting, but this may be true only at the start of this operation, for, when the lifting members have moved only slightly from their position in Figure 4, gravity will act to cause the parts to assume the position of Figure 3, and tractor power will have to be used to resist too rapid a movement to this position. With the harvester thresher I1 in the groundengaging position of Figure 3, the tractor may simply be backed away from the harvester thresher. The harvester thresher is allowed to remain in its detached, self-supporting position until it is again to be used, at which time the tractor is driven up to the position with respect to the harvester thresher shown in Figure 3. Then tractor power is applied to the member 18 to rotate it and thereby to rotate the sleeve 24 and the lifting members 48, 53, and 14 to bodily lift the implement to a raised and operative position on the tractor. When the harvester thresher i1 has reached the position of Figure 4, the lifting member 14 is locked to the member 58 by the bolt 11 and the nut 18, as shown in Figures 11 and 13. In the mounted position of the harvester thresher I1, the rollers 51 and 58 on the under side of the thresher body 18 are directly over the axle l5. Thus the weight of the harvester thresher applied through the rollers does not tend to twist the sleeve 38. To maintain the rollers 51 and 58 in this position, the sleeve 24 is locked to the axle I 5. This is accomplished by means of -a latch or looking member 88 pivotally mounted by a pin 88 on an external projection 80 on the casting or forging 38, The part 88 has a portion 9| projected through a slot 82 in the forging 28. A groove 83 in the portion 89 engages one ribbed portion in the form of a longitudinal flange 34 on the axle I5, as shown in Figure 10, and the member 88 is held in this position by means of a nut 84 and a bolt 85 pivotally mounted by a pin 85 on an external projection 81 on the forging 50. Thus, engagement of the flange 84 on the axle II by the groove 88 in the member 88, as shown in Figure 10, prevents relative rotation between the sleeve 24 and the axle l5, and the lifting members 48 and 53 are maintained in the position of Figures '1 and 10. As shown in Figure 3, there is formed as part of the thresher body l8 a part 88 that projects downwardly from a point near the rollers 51 and 58 and extends generally beneath these rollers in spaced relation thereto. In the mounted position of the eharvester thresher l1. the part 88 engages the under side of the sleeve 24 and thus prevents any upward movement of the rollers 51 and 58 away from the lifting members 48 and 53 that would tend to dismount the'harvester thresher I1 from the tractor II, The sleeve 24 has been described as a torque sleeve resistant to twisting. This must be the case, since there is a tendency to twist, because power for lifting the harvester thresher is applied to the flange 86 at the inner end of the sleeve, and the lifting member 48 is at the outer end of the sleeve.

Figure 9 shows that the forging 88 is provided with two lifting members 53 and 54 facing in opposite directions. The use of only the lifting member 53 has been described; The lifting member 54 is used when a machine, such as the harvester thresher i1, is to bemounted upon a long axle extending to the right side of the tractor body ii rather than to the left side thereof. In this case the sleeve 24 must be reversed. and thus the extra lifting member 54 is required in order that there may be a lifting member in the position corresponding to that occupiel by the lifting member 53 at the left side of the tractor body ll. Only one lifting member 48 has been provided, since it is secured by bolts 5i and nuts 52 to the semicircular part 28 of the sleeve 24. When a machine is to be mounted on an extended axle at the right side of the tractor body H, the lifting member 48 is detached from the sleeve 24 and is reversed so as to extend in the same direction as the lifting member 54. Figure 6 shows a plurality of nuts 52 attached to the inside of the semicircular part 28. From this it will be seen that the lifting member 48 may not only be reversed but may be also shifted lengthwise of the sleeve 24 to accommodate the mounting of machines of diiferent widths.

Attention is now directed to Figure 14, which shows the lifting member 48 and the roller 51 of the thresher body I8 both in raised position and in lowered position. It will be observed that the lifting member 48 moves angularly so as to shift its lifting surface. through a dimension represented by X." The change in position of the roller 51 from lowered position to lifted position is represented by Y, and this dimension is less than the dimension X. The lowest position of the lifting member 48 is such that the member is out of contact with the roller, 51 in its lowest position. As the weight of the harvester thresher I1 is shifted from the tractor ill to the legs 88 and 88, the tractor 18 will rise somewhat, because the tires on. the tractor become round. Thus, the lowest position of the lifting member 48 rises to the dotted line position, as shown. After the harvester thresher I1 has stood on legs 88 and 88 on the ground forsoine time, the legs may sink into the ground, and the result is a lowering of the harvester thresher and of the roller 51 to the dotted line position shown. The roller 51 in its dotted line position is just above the lifting member 48 in its dotted line position, so that, when the harvester thresher is to be mounted again upon the tractor III, the lifting member 49 may Just be passed beneath the roller 51. Thus, it will be seen that an important feature of the present invention is the lowering of the lifting member 49 through a distance greater than the amount required to bring the feet 88 and BI- of the harvester thresher II to the ground. This greater distance serves as a compensation for sinking of the harvester thresher into the ground and rising of the tractor due to removal of the load of the harvester thresher from the tractor.

Figures 15 and 16 illustrate the lifting of a corn binder 09 to mounted position upon a tractor. The corn binder 99 includes a framework comprising longitudinal members Hill (Figure 17). To these members is secured a pair of brackets III, which supports a transverse tube I02 on which are-pivotally mounted halves I03 and I04 of clamps I05 adapted to embrace the sleeve 24 and to be secured to one another byclamping bolts I06. The halves I04 carry rollers I01 similar to rollers 58 and adapted to engage lifting members 49 and 53. Feet I08 support the rear end of the corn binder 99 in the detached position of Figure 15, and the front end rests upon the ground. For attachment of the tractor ID to the binder, the tractor is driven into the binder as shown in Figure 15. Then the power-actuated member 19, acting through the link 85 and the flange l5, rotates the sleeve 24 and lifting members 48 and 53 to the position of Figure 16. The

rollers lll remain in the lifting members 4! and 53 and cause the rear end of the binder 99 to be raised off the feet Hi8, as shown in Figure 16. Then the sleeve 24 is locked against angular movement with respect to the tractor axle I! by the means shown in Figure 10. Then the link 85 is disconnected from the power-actuated member 19 and the flange 86, and a link IE9 is connected to the upper end of the member 19 and to a bell-crank H0 pivoted at III on the tractor body II. The bell-crank H0 is connected by a chain I I! with a forward member I I3 of the corn binder 99. Adjustment of the power-actuated member [9 acts through the link I09, bell-crank llll, and chain H2 to adjust the forward end of the corn binder 99 upwardly from ground-engaging position to any one of a plurality of positions of adjustment.

The binder has not been shown in detail in the present application, because it forms no part of the present invention. It is used only to illustrate the method of mounting involved. The relation of the binder in mounted position to the tractor is claimed in the copending application of John D. McKahin, Serial No. 490,265, filed June 10, 1943.

A significant feature of the present invention is that the lifting means, namely, the lifting member 14 and the lifting members 49 and 53, are short and act at short radii and move through a substantial angle. Thus they do not take up much space and do not interfere with the use of the tractor for other purposes than that of sup porting implements in the manner of the present invention. The lifting means are easy to remove.

Another significant thing is that the lifting means acts to shift the implement from detached position to mounted position onto a natural supporting portion of the tractor axle. When the implement has been mounted upon the tractor axle by the novel means of the present application, it is supported directly upon the axle, and the engaged portions of the implement are directly adjacent the axle. This is so because, as specified in the preceding paragraph, the lifting members 49 and 53 act at a short radius.

The intention is to limit the invention on y within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a. supporting frame having an axle and ground wheels connected thereto, an implement, a. lift support on the implement, a mounting structure for the implement carried by the axle, said structure including an element projecting from the axle and constructed and arranged to be in engagement with said lift support, and means operatively connected to the mounting structure for shifting the mounting structure with respect to the supporting frame to shift the implement bodily between a position in which it is carried by the supporting frame raised and operative and a. position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the supporting frame with the mounting structure thereon to be moved away from the implement.

2. In combination, a supporting frame having an axle and ground wheels connected thereto, an implement positioned adjacent said frame in close proximity to said axle, a lift support on the implement, a mounting structure for the implement carried by the axle and supported thereon on an axis coinciding with the axis of the axle so as to be shiftable about the axle as an axis, said structure having a projecting portion in engagement with said lift support, and means for shifting the mounting structure about the axle to shift the implement bodily between a position in which it is carried by the supporting frame raised and operative and a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the supporting frame with the mounting structure thereon to be moved away from the implement.

3. In combination, a tractor having a body, an axle, and a wheel on the axle spaced from the body to provide space for an implement, an implement positioned in said space, a mounting structure on the tractor, said structure having an element in engagement with the implement to be carried by the tractor in said space, and structure for shifting the mounting means with repect to the tractor to shift the implement bodily between a position in which it is carried by the tractor raised and operative and betweenthe wheel and the body and a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the tractor with the mounting structure thereon to be moved away from the implement.

4. In combination, a tractor having a power plant, a body, an axle, and a wheel spaced from the body to provide space for an implement, an implement positioned in said space, a mounting structure for the implement to be carried by the tractor, said structure having a projecting lifting element in engagement with said implement, and means connecting the tractor power plant and the mounting structure for shifting the mounting structure with respect to the tractor to shift the implement bodily between a position in which it is carried by the tractor raised and operative between the tractor body and the wheel and a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the tractor with the mounting structure thereon to be moved away from the implement.

5. In combination, a tractor, an implement, a lift support on said implement, a mounting structure for the implement having a portion in engagement with said support andcarried by the tractor axle, and means operatively connected to the mounting structure for shifting the mounting structure with respect to the tractor to shift the implement bodily between a position in which it is carried by the tractor raised and operative and a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the tractor with the mounting structure thereon to be moved away from the implement.

6. In combination, a tractor having an axle, a narrow body, a wheel on said axle spaced from the body and a power plant, an implement adapted to be located between the body and wheel, a lift support on said implement, a mounting structure for the implement in engagement with said support and carried by the tractor axle, and means operatively connected to the mounting structure for shifting the mounting structure with respect to the tractor to shift the implement bodily beween a position in which it is carried by the tractor raised and operative and between the wheel and the body and a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the tractor with the mounting structure thereon to be moved away from the implement.

7. In combination, a tractor having a power plant, a body, an axle, and a wheel spaced from the body, an implement having a portion adapted to be engaged for lifting the same, a lift support on said implement, a mounting structure for the implement carried by the tractor axle, said structure having a projecting lifting portion in engagement with said lift support, and means connecting the tractor power plant and the mounting structure for shifting the mounting structure with respect to the tractor whereby said lifting portion is moved to shift the implement bodily between a position in which it is carried by the tractor raised and operative between the tractor body and the wheel and a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the tractor with the mounting structure thereon to be moved away from the implement.

8. In combination, a supporting frame having an axle and supporting wheels, an implement, a lift support on the implement, a mounting sleeve surrounding the axle and angularly shiftable about the axle, said sleeve having a lifting element in engagement with said support, and means operatively connected to the mounting structure for shifting the mountin sleeve about the axle to shift the implement bodily between a position in which it is carried by the supporting frame raised and operative and a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the supporting frame with the mounting means thereon to be moved away from the implement.

9. In combination, a tractor having a power plant, a body, an axle, and a wheel on the axle spaced from the body, an implement, a torque sleeve serving as a mounting means surrounding the tractor axle and being angularly shiftable about the axle, a lifting member secured to the torque tube adjacent the wheel and in en gagement with said implement, and means connecting the tractor powerplant and the torque sleeve at a point adjacent the tractor body for angularly shifting the torque sleeve and the lifting member to engage and shift the implement bodily between a position in which it is carried by the tractor raised and operative and between the wheel and the body and a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the tractor to be moved away from the implement, the torque sleeve being sufficiently strong to prevent appreciable twisting'due to the fact that the lifting member is secured to the sleeve at one end adjacent the wheel and the connection with the tractor power plant is at the other end of the sleeve adJacent the tractor body.

10. In combination, a supporting frame adapted to be moved over the ground, an implement adapted to be mounted upon the supp rting frame in a raised position for normal operation during movement of the supporting frame over the ground or to rest-upon the ground in a lowered position inoperative and detached from the supporting frame, the implement having a mounting portion, a. mounting means on the supporting frame in engagement with the mounting portion on the implement, means pivotally connecting the mounting means to the support ing frame for angular movement of the mounting means between a low position lower than the position of the mounting portion of the implement in its lowered ground-engaging position and a high position higher than said position of the mounting portion, and means operatively connected to the supporting frame and the mounting structure for raising the mounting means from the low position to the high position to engage the mounting portion of the implement and to lift it from lowered ground-engaging position to raised mounted position.

11. In combination, a tractor, an implement adapted to be mounted thereon in a raised position for normal operation during movement of the tractor over the ground or to rest upon the ground in a lowered position inoperative and detached from the tractor, the implement having a mounting portion, a mounting means on the tractor in engagement with the mounting portion on the implement, means pivotally connecting the mounting means to the supporting frame for angular movement of the mounting means between a low position lower than the position of the mounting portion of the implement in its lowered ground-engaging position and a high position higher than said position of the mounting portion, and means operatively connected to the tractor and the mounting structure for rais ing the mounting means from the low position to the high position to engage the mounting portion of the implement and to lift it from lowered ground-engaging position to raised mounted position.

12. In combination, a tractor having a power plant, an implement adapted to be mounted thereon in a raised position for normal operation during movement of the tractor over the ground or to rest upon the ground in a. lowered position inoperative and detachedfrom the tractor, the implement having a mounting portion, a mounting means on the tractor in engagement with the mountin portion on the implement, means pivotally connecting the mounting means to the ing a portion in engagement with the mounting portion of the implement, means carrying the mounting structure on the axle for angular movement about the axis of the axle between a low position lower than the position of the mounting portion of the implement in a lowered ground-engaging position and a high position higher than said position of the mounting portion, and means operatively connected to the mounting structure for raising the mounting structure from the -low position to the high position to engage the mounting portion of the implement and to lift it from lowered groundengaging position to raised mounted position.

14. In combination, a tractor having a power plant, a body, an axle, and a wheel on the axle spaced from the body, an implement adapted to be mounted upon the tractor in a raised position between the wheel and the body for normal operation during movement of the tractor over the ground or to rest upon the ground in a lowered position inoperative and detached from the tractor, the implement having a mounting portion, mounting means in engagement with the mounting portion of the implement, means supporting the mounting means upon the axle for angular movement about the axis of the axle between a low position lower than the position of the mounting portion of the implement in its lowered. ground-engaging position and a'high position higher than the said position of the mounting portion, and means connecting the tractor power plant and the mounting means for raising the mounting means from the low position to the high position to engage the mounting portion of the implement and to lift it from lowered ground-engaging position to raised mounted position.

15. In combination, a tractor having a power plant, a body, an axle, and a wheel on the axle spaced from the body, an implement adapted to be mounted upon the tractor in raised position between the wheel and the body for normal operation during movement of the tractor over the ground or to rest upon the ground in a lowered position inoperative and detached from the tractor, the implement having a mounting portion, a sleeve about the axle having a mounting projection in engagement with the mounting portion of the implement, the sleeve being angularly movable about the axle to shift the mounting projection ,between a low position lower than the position of the mounting portion of the implement in its lowered, ground-engaging position and a high position higher than the said posiimplement positioned adjacent said axle, a lift support on said implement, a mounting means for the implement carried by the axle so as to be angularly shiftable thereabout, said means having a lifting element thereon, said element being in engagement with said lift support, means operatively connected to said mounting means for angularly shifting the mounting means about the axle to shift the implement bodily between a position in which it is carried by the supporting frame raised and operative and a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the supporting frame to be moved away from the implement, and means for locking the mounting means to the axle in the raised position of the implement for maintaining the implement in this position.

17. In combination, a mobile supporting frame, an implement having a mounting portion positioned adjacent said frame, a mounting means for the implement having a mounting portion including a hook carried for'vertical swinging movement by the supporting frame, said hook being beneath said mounting portion of the implement in releasable engagement therewith, and means operatively connected to said moimting means for shifting the hook vertically with respect to the supporting frame to engage said mounting portion and to bodily shift the implement vertically between a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground and the hook may be withdrawn horizontally and a position in which it is carried by the hook raised and operative.

18. In combination, a tractor, an implement positioned alongside the tractor adjacent thereto, lifting means mounted on the tractor adjacent the front thereof, lifting means mounted on the tractor adjacent the rear thereof, both of connected to said lifting means for conjointly operating the two lifting means to shift the implement between an operative position in which it is raised andmounted on the tractor and an inoperative position in which it is detached from the tractor and rests upon the ground.

19. In combination, a tractor having a power plant provided with a power outlet means intermediate the front and rear of the tractor, an implement positioned alongside the tractor adjacent thereto, lifting means mounted on the tractor adjacent the front thereof, lifting means mounted on the tractor adjacent the rear thereof, both of said lifting means being in releasable engagement with the implement, and means operatively connecting the power plant power outlet means and the two lifting means for conjointly operating the two lifting means to shift the implement between an operative position in which it is raised and mounted on the tractor and an' inoperative position in which it is detached from the tractor and rests upon the ground.

20. In combination, a tractor having a body and a rear axle, a first lifting means adjacent the front of the body, a second lifting means on the rear axle adjacent the body, a third lifting means on the rear axle spaced from the body, an implement positioned alongside the tractor adjacent thereto, all three of said lifting means being in releasable engagement with the implement, and means operatively connected to said lifting means for conjointly operating the three lifting means to shift the implement between an op- 13 erative position in which it is raised and mounted on the tractor and an inoperative position in which it is detached from the tractor and rests upon the ground.

21. In combination, a tractor, a. first lifting means mounted adjacent the front of the tractor for rotation about an axis transverse of the tractor, a second lifting means mounted adjacent the rear of the tractor for rotation about an axis transverse of the tractor, an implement positioned alongside the tractor adjacent thereto, both of said lifting means being in releasable en-' gagem-ent with the implement, means operatively connected to said lifting means for conjointly rotating the two lifting means to lift the implement between an operative position in which it is raised and mounted upon the tractor and an inoperative position in which it is detached from the tractor and rests upon the ground.

22. In combination, a tractor having a body and a rear axle, a first lifting means mounted adjacent the front of the body for angular movement about a transverse axis, a second lifting means mounted on the rear axle adjacent the body for angular movement about a transverse axis, a third lifting means mounted on the rear axle spaced from the body for angular movement about a transverse axis, an implement positioned alongside the tractor adjacent thereto, all of said lifting means being in releasable engagement with the implement and means operatively connected to said lifting means for conjointly moving the three lifting means angularly about their axes to shift the implement between an operative position in which it is raised and mounted on the tractor and an inoperative position in which it is detached from the tractor and rests upon the ground.

23. In combination, a. tractor having a body, a rear axle, and a wheel on the rear axle spaced from the body, a first lifting means mounted adjacent the front of the body for angular movement about a transverse axis, a second lifting means mounted on the rear axle adjacent the body for angular movement about a transverse axis, a third lifting means mounted on the rear axle adjacent the wheel for angular movement about a transverse axis, a thresher positioned alongside the tractor adjacent thereto, all of said lifting means being in releasable lifting engagement with the thresher, means operatively connected to said lifting means for conjointly moving the three lifting means angularly about their axes to shift the thresher between an operative position in which it is raised from the ground and is mounted on the tractor between the wheel and the body and an inoperative position in which it is detached from the tractor and rests upon the ground.

24. In combination, a tractor having a body, a rear axle, and a wheel on the rear axle spaced from the body, a first lifting means mounted adjacent the front of the body for angular movement about a transverse axis, a second lifting means mounted on the rear axle adjacent the body for angular movement about a transverse axis, a third lifting means mounted on the rear axle adjacent the wheel for angular movement about a transverse axis, a thresher with its rear end adjacent the front of the tractor and its front end adjacent the rear of the tractor, all of said lifting means being in releasable engagement with the implement, and means operatively connected to said lifting means for conjointly moving the three lifting means angularly about their axes to shift the thresher between an operative position in which it is raised from the ground and is mounted on the tractor between the wheel and the body and an inoperative position in which it is detached from the tractor and rests upon the ground, the tractor body being adapted in its mounted position to carry pivotally at its rear end a harvester platform extending rearwardly from the rear axle.

25. In combination, a tractor having an axle, a, lifting member angularly movable about the tractor axle, an implement having a portion in engagement with the lifting member and a part depending from the implement at a point adjacent the portion and extending beneath the portion in spaced relation thereto, and means operatively connected to said lifting means for angularly moving the lifting member to raise the implement bodily from an inoperative position in which it rests upon the ground detached from the tractor to an operative position in which the lifting member hold-s the said portion of the implement above the axle and the depending part of the implement engages the bottom of the axle to prevent detachment of the implement from the tractor due to upward movement of the portion of the implement away from the liftin member,

26. In combination, a tractor having a rear ax'e having a longitudinal flange, an implement lifting member, mounting means for the lifting member mounted upon the tractor axle for angular movement thereabout, an implement having a lifting portion in operative engagement with said lifting member, means operatively connected to said lifting means for angularly moving the mounting means and lifting member to shift the implement between an operative position in which it is raised and mounted on the tractor and an inoperative position in which it rests on the ground, a locking element pivotally mounted on the mounting means projectible into engagement with the flange on the tractor axle in raised position of the implement, and mean-s for maintaining the part in engagement with the flange to hold the implement in raised position.

27. In combination, a tractor having a rear axle having a ribbed portion, an implement, a

sleeve mounted upon the axle for relative angular rests'upon the ground to an operative position in which it is raised and mounted on the tractor, a locking element mounted upon the sleeve and projectible thereinto to engage the ribbed portion of the tractor axle in raised position of the implement to prevent angular movement of the sleeve and lifting member and thereby to maintain the implement in raised position;

28. In combination, a tractor having an axle having a radial projection, a, mounting means carried by the axle for relative angular movement thereabout, a lifting member secured to the mounting means, an implement having a portion in engagement with the lifting member and a projecting part near said portion, means operatively connected to the mounting means and the tractor for angularly moving the mounting means and the lifting member to raise the 15 implement from an inoperative position in which it rests upon the ground to an operative position in which it is raised and mounted on the tractor, in raised position of the implement the said portion of the implement being above the tractor axle and the projecting part of the implement engaging the mounting means below the tractor axle to prevent upward movement of the said portion of the implement away from the mounting member, and a locking element pivotally connected to the mounting means and insertable thereinto to engage the projection on the tractor axle in raised position of the implement to prevent angular movement of the mounting means and the lifting member and thereby to hold the implement in raised position.

29. In combination, a tractor having an axle structure provided with an axle having an exposed live portion at its outer end, a mounting means provided with a projecting lifting member surrounding the axle structure, an anti-friction bearing Journaling the mounting means upon the live portion of the axle, an implement, a lifting support on said implement in engagement with said lifting member, and means for shifting the mounting means about the axle to thereby shift the implement between an operative position in l which it is raised and mounted upon the tractor and an inoperative position in which it rests upon the ground.

30. In combination, a tractor having a power plant, lifting means on the tractor, an implement positioned adjacent the tractor in lifting engagement with said lifting means at two spaced points, means for causing the power plant to actuate the lifting means at one point of engagement to raise the implement from a position in which it rests .upon the ground detached from the tractor to a position in which one end of the implement is raised, and means for causing the tractor power plant to act through the lifting means at the other point of engagement with the implement spaced from the lifting means toward the other end of the implement to adjust the said other end of the implement upwardly from engagement with the ground about the pivotal mounting.

31. In combination, a tractor having a power plant, a body, an axle, and a wheel on the axle spaced from the body determining a wheel line spaced from the body. an implement positioned alongside the tractor between the body and said spaced wheel, lifting means mounted on the tractor axle in releasable engagement with said implement, means connected to said lifting means and to the power plant of the tractor for causing the power plant to actuate the lifting means to raise the implement from a position in which it rests upon the ground detached from the tractor to a position in which the implement is mounted on the tractor axle between the body and the body with the rear end raised and with a pivotal mounting adjacent the rear axle, a second lifting means connected to the tractor spaced from the first mentioned lifting means and beingarranged in engagement with the implement and a second link means connectable between the power outlet of the tractor power plant and said second lifting means upon disconnection of the first link means for causing the tractor power plant to adjust the front end of the implement upwardly from ground engagement.

33. In combination, a tractor having a power plant, lifting means on the tractor, an implement positioned alongside the tractor adjacent thereto and in engagement with the lifting means, means operatively connected to said lifting means for causing the power plant to actuate the lifting means to raise the implement from a position in which it rests upon the ground detached from the tractor to a position in which one end of the implement is raised, means for securing said end of the implement to the tractor, and means operatively connected to said lifting means for thereafter actuating the tractor power plant to lift the other end of the implement,

34. In combination, a tractor having an axle, lifting means pivotally mounted on the axle for angular movement thereabout, an implement having a portion in engagement with the lifting wheel line with one end raised and with a pivotal mounting adjacent the tractor axle, and means for causing the tractor power plant to act through a point of the implement spaced from the pivotal mounting toward the other end of the implement to adjust the said other end of the implement upwardly from engagement with the ground about the pivotal mounting.

32. In combination, a tractor having a body, an axle, a wheel on the axle spaced from the body determining a wheel line spaced from the body, a power plant having a power outlet connection at the side of the body, lifting means mounted on the tractor axle for angular movement thereabout, an implement positioned alongside the tractor admeans, and means operatively connected to the tractor and to said lifting means for shifting the lifting means about the axle for raising the im-, plement from a position in which it is unsupported on the tractor with the said portion thereof is immediately alongside the axle to a position in which the implement is mounted on the tractor and the said portion thereof is immediately over the axle.

35. In combination, a tractor having a body, an axle and a wheel on the axle spaced from the body, an implement positioned alongside the trac tor adjacent thereto, a mounting structure carried by and on the tractor, said structure having means in engagement with the implement to be carried by the tractor, and means operatively connected to said mounting structure for shifting the mounting structure with respect to the tractor to shift the implement bodily between a position in which it is carried by the tractor raised and operative and between the wheel and the body and a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the tractor with the mounting structure thereon to be moved away from the implement.

36. In combination, a. tractor having a body, an axle and a wheel on the axle spaced from the body, an implement positioned alongside the tractor adjacent thereto, a mounting structure carried by and on the tractor, said structure having lifting means in engagement withthe implement to be carried by the tractor, and power actuated means operable by the power plant of the tractor for shifting the mounting structure with respect to the tractor to shift the implement bodily between a position in which it is carried by the tractor raised and operative and between the 17 wheel and the body and a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the tractor with the mounting structure thereon to be moved away from the implement.

37. In combination, a tractor having a body,

/ an axle and a wheel on the axle spaced from the body. an implement positioned alongside the tractor body, a mounting means for said implement to be carried by the tractor, said mounting means including a member in engagement with the implement and the tractor at one point and another member in engagement with the implement at another point spaced longitudinally of the tractor from said last named point, means operatively connected to said mounting means for shifting the mounting means with respect to the tractor to shift the entire implement bodily clear of the ground between a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the tractor with the mounting means thereon to be moved away from the implement and a position in which it is carried by the tractor raised and operative and between the wheel and the body, and means to secure the implement rigidly to the tractor.

38. In combination, a tractor having a body, a power plant on the body, a narrow front rolling support, an axle and a wheel on the axle spaced from the body, an implement positioned alongside the tractor body between the wheel and the body, a mounting means for the implement to be carried by the tractor, said mounting means including a member in engagement with'the implement and the tractor at one point and another member in engagement with the implement at another point spaced longitudinally oi the tractor from said last named point, manually controlled power actuated means operable by the power plant of the tractor for shifting the entire implement bodily clear of the ground between a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the tractor with the mounting means thereon to be moved away from the implement, and means to secure the implement rigidly to the tractor.

39. In combination, a tractor having a body, an axle and a wheel on the axle spaced from the body. an implement positioned alongside the tractor body between the wheel and the body and adapted to be carried by the tractor, a mounting means for said implement having a lifting element in engagement with said implement, said means including lifting mechanism operatively connected to said means and to the tractor arranged and constructed and operable to simultaneously shift all portions of the implement vertically' relative to the ground and releasable mechanism to lock the implement on the trac- 5 tor, said mounting means being connected to the tractor and supportable thereby, means for shifting the mounting means with respect to the tractor to shift the entire implement bodily and substantially vertically between a position in which it is carried by the tractor raised and operative and between the wheel and the body and a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground.

40. In combination, a tractor having a body, an axle anda wheel on the axle spaced from the body, an implement positioned alongside the tractor body between the wheel and the body adapted to be carried by the tractor, a mounting means for said implement having a portion of lifting engagement with said implement, said means connected to the mounting means and to the tractor including lifting mechanism arranged and constructed and operable to simultaneously shift all portions of the implement vertically relative to the ground and releasable mechanism to lock the implement on the tractor, said mounting means being connected to the tractor and supported thereby, manually controlled power actuated means operable by the power plant of the tractor for shifting the mounting means with respect to the tractor to shift the entire implement bodily and substantially vertically between a position in which it is carried by the tractor raised and operative and between the wheel and-the body and a position in which it rests inoperative upon the ground to enable the tractor with the mounting means thereon to be moved away from the implement.

41. In combination, a mobile supporting frame having a connecting part, an implement frame including a connecting part, a mounting means for the implement including the aforesaid parts and a hook carried by one of the parts, said hook being in engagement with a hook-receiving portion on the other part, and means operatively connected to the mounting means and to the tractor for shifting the hook vertically with respect to said other part to engage the hook-receiving portion to shift the implement vertically between a position in which'it rests inoperative upon the ground to an operative position in which it is carried by means or the hook and hook-receiving portion.

ltliiX B. HITCHCOCK.

WILLIAM C. ROSENTHAL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,404,069 Swinehart Jan. 17, 1922 2,259,893 Hyman Oct. 21, 1941 2,347,871 Andrews et a1. May 2, 19-14 

